Thursday, May 7, 2020

A to Z Challenge 2020 - Reflections

Finally, here I am with a review of the Challenge. Probably among the last to do it. 

This year was my third year at the Challenge. Though I had known about similar blogging challenges before, I couldn't participate in them owing to my hectic daily routine which itself was a challenge.

I chose to sign up this time not just because I had time on my hands, but also because I believe blogging is an excellent platform to read good articles on a variety of subjects. It's not like the ubiquitous social media platforms wherein one tends to find fleeting thoughts rather than well-thought-out compositions. 

In 2018, I didn't have a theme. Last year, it was 'journalist jargons'. This year, when the time for 'reveal theme' arrived, I didn't know what I should blog on. 

A couple of days before the kick-off, I thought of our current state and what I was doing presently. And that became my theme - how I am keeping up my spirits in these troubled times.

It was a pleasure to not only put up one post a day barring Sundays but also to connect with some amazing bloggers, check out and comment on their posts, and read their comments to my posts. 

I had never read so much on niche subjects like quilting, herbal oils and Geographical Indications. There were reminiscences of childhood memories, introspections, reviews of books, travelogues, offbeat destinations, short stories etc., besides, of course, the highs and lows of the routine nowadays. 

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone out there who read my posts, keyed in comments and kept coming back to my blog. It was a wonderful journey, getting to know you all.

Here are just some of the bloggers with whom I connected during the Challenge (listed in alphabetical order of the blogger), the name of their blog and their theme:
  1. Anagha Yatin - Canvas with RainbowShort stories

  2. Anita Sabat - The Explorer of MiraclesGeographical Indications of Odisha
     
  3. Arti Jain - My Ordinary Moments - Stories from childhood revolving around grandfather's garden

  4. Darshana Suresh (Dashy) - Wandering Wows!Inhibitions

  5. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué - Quilting work of favourite artists

  6. Frewin55 - How would you knowPosts around personal and societal responses to the Covid 19 crisis

  7. Genevive Angela - Living A Life Of GratitudeShort stories for inspiration

  8. Jade Li - Tao Talk - Essential oils

  9. Jhilmil Bhansali - Parenting and Lifestyle - Parenting 

  10. Keith - Keith's Ramblings - Short stories with words that have fallen out of use

  11. Moondustwriter - Penned in moon dustIssues faced by elders

  12. My Space - My SpaceShort stories

  13. Ninu Nair - Bookishloom - Books

  14. Nisha - Teeth That SparkleTravel Stories from Across the World

  15. Red - Doesn't Speak Klingon - Thoughts in these Covid times

  16. Shilpa Garg - A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose! - Various aspects related to books and reading

  17. Simrit Bedi - Suburban LifestyleActivities for kids

  18. Sinjana Ghosh - Backpack & Explore - Offbeat destinations of India

  19. Suzy - Someday Somewhere - In the Lockdown

  20. Sweta Sharma - My Random Ramblings - Quirky, humourous and relatable definitions

  21. Tomichan Matheikal - Tomichan Matheikal's blog -  Books

  22. Wendy - Wendy's Waffle - Various aspects related to moving house
See you soon! Take care and good wishes!

16 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    I came to your blog shortly before the A-Z started and am grateful I did - for each of your posts offered thoughtfulness, cheerfulness and some inspiration too! Now the challenge is over, don't forget to keep blogging!!! YAM xx

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    1. Hi Yamini - Thank you so much for your kind words. :-)

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  2. Hello Pradeep, it was really nice to come and visit you here, I enjoyed a lot your posts! And thank you for the mention ;)

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  3. Congratulations on completing the challenge. Unfortunately I was rather late in finding you! Thanks so much your visits to my blog, and the mention in your list. It's really appreciated.

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  4. I know a few of those blogs :) Congrats on making it through.

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  5. I enjoyed your posts both these past two years. It's hard to believe I've been following you so long. Time sure flies, and I appreciate your comments on my typical silliness. Be well!

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    1. Hi Darla - Yes, indeed, how fast time flies. If I remember right, I landed on your blog after seeing the link to your blog on the blog of someone who was participating in the A to Z Challenge in 2018. Take care.

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  6. It was a pleasure reading your posts in April and to connect with you via this challenge Pradeep.
    Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments.
    I like what you've said about blogging. It is indeed the place where one can access good quality pieces to read which cover such a wide variety of topics and subjects.
    All the best for the rest of the year.
    Keep safe.

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  7. Being part of this challenge was fun as well as inspiring. I came across some new friends too. Thanks for the mention here. Look forward to the ebooks now.

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  8. Congratulations on completing the challenge. April has been a wonderful time thanks to the challenge. Thanks for the mention and happy blogging ahead :)

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    1. Hi Dashy - Thank you. Looking forward to your blogs. Have a great time ahead. :)

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  9. Hi Pradeep - well done for joining in again ... and for listing here all your 'new' blogging friends - great to see the recognition for them. Your theme was very appropriate ...

    I may join in next year - but I'll just post ... the administration etc isn't empathetic as it was for the first 10 years - ie I first started in 2011.

    I'll be seeing you ... stay safe - Hilary

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  10. Congratulations for completing the challenge. I enjoyed reading some of your posts, and thanks for mentioning my name, appreciate you for your thoughtfulness. It was great to connect with you:)

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